Instagram Pinterest TikTok Facebook
Baby Names

250+ Western Boy Names With Cute Meanings For Your Little Buckaroo

Updated on
western boy names

 

Why Choose A Western Boy Name For Your Baby?

Western boy names represent a period associated with bravery, loyalty, and self-conviction despite the apparent lawlessness of the era.

The ‘Wild West’ is often associated with cowboys riding horses on rodeos, famous masked outlaws like Jesse James, and one-on-one gunfights in dusty western towns. However, it’s also linked to brave people who never hesitated to fight for honor, family, and property. (1)

These country boy names also bring a sense of adventure and fun.

We’ve listed 250+ badass and tough boy names inspired by the Wild West, so you can find the best baby boy name for your little cowpoke below.

Popularity ranks are from 2022 data for baby boys from the SSA (Social Security Administration). (2)

 

Fun Facts & Cool Trivia About Western Cowboys

  • Cowboys are the classic heroes of the American West. (1)
  • Cowboys are tough, badass workers typically in charge of 250 to 300 heads of cattle. (1)
  • Cowboys don’t just watch their herd inside a ranch. They also take long journeys and must deal with rustlers (thieves who steal cattle) or prevent stampedes. (1)
  • Wranglers are the youngest, least experienced cowboys who are typically paid the lowest. (1)
  • The Wild West had many cattle towns filled with rough, rowdy, and tough cowboys. (1)
  • Rodeo competitions developed as a sport for American cowboys to show off their working skills. (3)
  • Rodeo events included bull riding, bareback bronco (wild horse) riding, and calf roping. (3)

 

Our Top Selections: The Best Western Boy Names & Their Meanings 

Carson

 

  • Meaning: “Son of the marsh-dwellers”
  • Pronunciation: “kar-son”
  • Popularity: 110
  • Namesakes: American television host and producer Carson Jones Daly and actor Carson Kressley 
  • Variations: Carrson, Karson, and Karrson

 

Carter

 

  • Meaning: “Transporter of goods by cart” or “cart driver”
  • Pronunciation: “kar-ter”
  • Popularity: 47
  • Namesakes: American actor Carter Mark Jenkins; also a last name (e.g., 39th US President Jimmy Carter)
  • Variations: Karter, Cartyr, and Cartier

 

Colton

 

  • Origin: Scottish and English boy name
  • Meaning: “From the coal or dark town”
  • Pronunciation: “kohl-tuhn”
  • Popularity: 91
  • Namesakes: American model and actor Colton Haynes and American singer Colton Dixon
  • Variations: Colten, Coleton, Kolton, and Kolten

 

Cooper

 

  • Origin: English and Dutch boy name
  • Meaning: “Barrel maker”
  • Pronunciation: “koo-per”
  • Popularity: 53
  • Namesakes: American actor Cooper Hoffman; also a last name (e.g., American journalist Anderson Cooper)
  • Variations: Kooper

 

Eli

 

  • Pronunciation: “eeh-lie”
  • Popularity: 69
  • Namesakes: Biblical name after the priest who raised the prophet Samuel
  • Variations: Ely and Eeli

 

Jackson

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Pronunciation: “jak-suhn”
  • Popularity: 23
  • Namesakes: American singer and songwriter Clyde Jackson Browne; also a common last name (e.g., “King of Pop” Michael Jackson and seventh US president Andrew Jackson)
  • Variations: Jaxson, Jaxon, and Jaxsen 

 

James

 

  • Origin: English and Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: 1-syllable boy name meaning “supplanter” as a variant of the biblical boy name “Jacob”
  • Pronunciation: “jaymz”
  • Popularity: 4
  • Namesakes: Scottish actor James McAvoy and Canadian filmmaker James Francis Cameron CC
  • Variations: Jaime and Seamus (Irish boy name)

 

Levi

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: Short boy name meaning “joined in harmony,” “joined,” or “united”
  • Pronunciation: “lee-vy”
  • Popularity: 12
  • Namesakes: One of Joseph’s 12 sons and among the patriarchs of Israel’s 12 tribes; modern namesakes include American model and actor Levi Johnston 
  • Variations: None

 

Maverick

 

  • Origin: English and American boy name
  • Meaning: “Nonconformist” 
  • Pronunciation: “mah-veh-reek”
  • Popularity: 40
  • Namesakes: American producer and CEO Maverick Carter and actor Maverick Thompson
  • Variations: Mavrick, Mavric, and Maverik

 

Walker

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Fuller of cloth (one who cleanses wool cloth)”
  • Pronunciation: “woh-ker”
  • Popularity: 78
  • Namesakes: American country pop singer and songwriter Charles Edgar Walker Hayes
  • Variations: Wallker, Walkar, and Walkker

 

Wyatt

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Brave at war”
  • Pronunciation: “wah-yutt”
  • Popularity: 38 
  • Namesakes: Magical name after the powerful fictional character Wyatt Halliwell in the TV series “Charmed”
  • Variations: Wiatt and Wyot (Old English)

 

Trendy Cowboy & Western Names

Blaze

 

  • Origin: Latin and English boy name
  • Pronunciation: “blayz”
  • Popularity: 752 (2022), rising from 844 in 2020 to 774 in 2021
  • Namesakes: American child actor Tanner Blaze; also an adorable Disney name after a firefly in the Disney Fairies series “Tinkerbell”
  • Variations: None

 

Colt

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Pronunciation: “kowlt”
  • Popularity: 240
  • Namesakes: American artistic gymnast Colt Walker
  • Variations: Kolt

 

Jace

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: “The Lord is salvation” or “healer”
  • Pronunciation: “jays”
  • Popularity: 103
  • Namesakes: American singer Jace Everett and actor Jace Norman
  • Variations: Jays, Jase, Jayce, and Jais; also a short form of “Jason”

 

Knox

 

  • Origin: English and Scottish boy name
  • Meaning: Earthy name meaning “round hill” or “from a small hill”
  • Pronunciation: “noks”
  • Popularity: 200
  • Namesakes: American session guitarist and cellist Knox Chandler and Knox Leon Jolie Pitt (twin name for boys and girls, with “Vivienne”) after the son of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
  • Variations: Knoxx, Knoxtyn, and Knoxson 

 

Nash

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “By the ash tree”
  • Pronunciation: “nash”
  • Popularity: 251
  • Namesakes: American jockey (professional horse rider) Nash Turner
  • Variations: Nashe, Nass, and Naish 

 

Paxton

 

  • Origin: English and Latin unisex name
  • Meaning: “Peace town”
  • Pronunciation: “pak-stuhn”
  • Popularity: 256
  • Namesakes: American football player Paxton Lynch and a fictional name after a diesel engine in the “Thomas & Friends” TV series
  • Variations: Packie, Paxton, and Paxie

 

What Are Some Wild Cowboy Names?

Arden

 

  • Origin: Hebrew and English nonbinary name
  • Meaning: “Valley of the eagle” or “Eden”
  • Pronunciation: “ahr-den”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Mystical name after the Forest of Arden (the setting of William Shakespeare’s “As You Like”)
  • Variations: Ardan

 

Morgan

 

  • Pronunciation: “mor-gan”
  • Popularity: 538
  • Namesakes: American actor and producer Morgan Freeman; also a last name (e.g., American stand-up comedian and actor Tracy Jamal Morgan)
  • Variations: Morggen, Morrgan, Morghan, and Muirgen 

 

Tripp

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Traveler,” “to step,” “to tread,” “one who tripped,” or “to dance”
  • Pronunciation: “trip”
  • Popularity: 437
  • Namesakes: Also a nickname after American football player Tripp Welborne (born Sullivan Anthony Welborne III) and musician Tripp Eisen (born Tod Rex Salvador)
  • Variations: Trip, Trippe, and Trepp

 

Western

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Of the west”
  • Pronunciation: “wes-tern”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: None
  • Variations: West

 

Wilder

 

  • Meaning: “Wild” or “untamed”
  • Pronunciation: “wile-der”
  • Popularity: 373
  • Namesakes: Fictional character Wilder Lloyd in the movie “The Accidental Husband”
  • Variations: Wylder

 

Spiritual & Biblical Western Boy Names

Gideon

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Pronunciation: “gi-dee-uhn”
  • Popularity: 333
  • Namesakes: English actor, voice actor, and jazz musician Gideon Emery; also after an Israelite military leader and prophet in the Bible
  • Variations: None

 

Jed

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: “Beloved of God” or “friend of the Lord”
  • Pronunciation: “jhed”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American filmmaker Jed Riffe and screenwriter-musician Jed Whedon
  • Variations: Can be a nickname for “Jed-” names such as “Jedidiah”

 

Jericho

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: Biblical place name meaning “the moon city”
  • Pronunciation: “jeh-ree-kow”
  • Popularity: 930
  • Namesakes: American poet and writer Jericho Brown 
  • Variations: Jerrico, Jerico, and Jericko

 

Country Names For Your Little Man

Angus

 

  • Origin: Celtic, Irish, and Scottish Gaelic boy name
  • Meaning: “One choice”
  • Pronunciation: “ang-guhs”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Celtic god of love, youth, and poetic inspiration
  • Variations: Aengus 

 

Bentley

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Meadow with coarse grass”
  • Pronunciation: “bent-lee”
  • Popularity: 172
  • Namesakes: American actor Bentley Mitchum
  • Variations: Bentlee

 

Boone

 

  • Meaning: “Blessing,” “good,” “favor,” “request,” or “lucky”
  • Pronunciation: “boon”
  • Popularity: 602
  • Namesakes: Fictional character Boone Carlyle, played by Ian Somerhalder in the TV series “Lost”
  • Variations: Boon, Bohan, and Bohun

 

What Boy Name Means “Cowboy”?

Buck

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: Masculine name meaning “cowboy,” “deer,” “male goat,” or “dollar”
  • Pronunciation: “buk”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American actor, director, and screenwriter Buck Henry; also a nickname (e.g., American singer and songwriter Alvis Edgar “Buck” Owens Jr.) and last name (e.g., American sportscaster John Francis “Jack” Buck)
  • Variations: Bucky, Buckie, and Buckley

 

What Are Soft Boy Names?

Ames

 

  • Meaning: “Friend,” “companion,” or a pet name for a loved one that means “to love”
  • Pronunciation: “aymz”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American author Jonathan Ames)
  • Variations: Aymes, Aimes, Amice, and Amez

 

Caleb

 

  • Origin: Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: “Faithful,” “whole-hearted,” “devotion to God,” “bold,” or “brave”
  • Pronunciation: “kay-leb”
  • Popularity: 52
  • Namesakes: American actor Caleb McLaughlin
  • Variations: Kaleb, Khalev, and Chaleb

 

Cool Boy Names For Your Little Cowboy

Asher

 

  • Origin: Hebrew unisex name
  • Meaning: “Blessed” and “happy”
  • Pronunciation: “ah-sher”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American child actor Asher Angel and painter Asher Brown Durand
  • Variations: Ashar and Ashor

 

Billy

 

  • Origin: English unisex name
  • Meaning: “Resolute protector,” “strength,” “helmet protection,” or “determination”
  • Pronunciation: “bee-lee”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American country singer-songwriter and actor Billy Ray Cyrus and singer-songwriter and pianist Billy Joel (born William Martin Joel)
  • Variations: Billie (unisex name); also a nickname for “William”

 

Bobby

 

  • Meaning: “Bright fame”
  • Pronunciation: “baa-bee”
  • Popularity: 847
  • Namesakes: American songwriter and actor Bobby Darin
  • Variations: Common nickname for “Robert” (e.g., American singer Bobby Brown (Robert Barisford Brown Sr.)

 

Clayton

 

  • Meaning: “Clay settlement,” “from the town on the clay bed,” or “place with good clay”
  • Pronunciation: “klay-ton”
  • Popularity: 286
  • Namesakes: American actor Clayton Moore, who played the Lone Ranger in the TV series
  • Variations: Klayton, Clay, and Claughton

 

Cute & Adorable Western Boy Names

Alonzo

 

  • Meaning: “Ready for battle” or “noble”
  • Pronunciation: “ah-lohn-zoh”
  • Popularity: 470
  • Namesakes: American basketball player Alonzo Gee
  • Variations: Alonso

 

Cody 

 

  • Meaning: “Helpful person,” “decent one,” or “descendant of Coda”
  • Pronunciation: “kow-dee”
  • Popularity: 302
  • Namesakes: Canadian rodeo cowboy Cody Cassidy and American actor Cody Kasch
  • Variations: Kody, Kodi, Codey, Codi, and Codie

 

Dusty

 

  • Origin: Old English and German boy name
  • Meaning: “Brave warrior” or “dusty area”
  • Pronunciation: “duh-stee”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American country singer Dusty Drake
  • Variations: Dustee

 

Groovy & Funky Western Boy Names

Alan

 

  • Origin: Gaelic and German boy name
  • Meaning: “Handsome,” “precious,” or “cheerful”
  • Pronunciation: “al-uhn”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: English actor and director Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman and American country singer-songwriter Alan Eugene Jackson
  • Variations: Allan and Allen

 

Rufus

 

  • Origin: Latin boy name
  • Pronunciation: “roo-fuhs”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: English musician Rufus Tiger Taylor and American inventor Rufus Stokes
  • Variations: Ruffus

 

Rustic & Sweet Western Boy Names

Amos

 

  • Origin: Hebrew unisex name
  • Meaning: “Carried by God”
  • Pronunciation: “ay-mos”
  • Popularity: 629
  • Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Amos Lee
  • Variations: Amoz

 

Andrew

 

  • Origin: Greek and English boy name
  • Meaning: “Strong and manly”
  • Pronunciation: “an-droo”
  • Popularity: 61
  • Namesakes: English–American actor Andrew Russell Garfield and American visual artist and film director Andy Warhol
  • Variations: Andros

 

Charlie

 

  • Origin: German unisex name
  • Meaning: “Free man”
  • Pronunciation: “chaar-lee”
  • Popularity: 178
  • Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Charles Edward Daniels and English comic actor Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE

 

Joaquin

 

  • Origin: Hebrew and Spanish boy name
  • Meaning: “Established by God,” “God is gracious,” or “God will judge”
  • Pronunciation: “wah-keen”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American actor Joaquin Phoenix; also a place name after a city in Texas
  • Variations: Joachim and Jachin

 

Badass Western Boy Names

Boy Names With Strong Meanings

Barrett

 

  • Origin: Middle English and Irish boy name
  • Meaning: “Mighty as a bear,” “warlike people,” “strife,” “warrior,” or “bear strength”
  • Pronunciation: “baa-reht”
  • Popularity: 208
  • Namesakes: American singer and dancer Barrett Foa
  • Variations: Barret, Barett, and Beroald (Old German)

 

Buster

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Tough boy” or “someone who bursts in”
  • Pronunciation: “buh-ster”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American actor, comedian, and film director Buster Keaton (born Joseph Frank Keaton) and English actor Buster Merryfield (born Harry Merryfield)
  • Variations: None

 

Gunnar

 

  • Meaning: “Brave and bold warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “gunn-er”
  • Popularity: 589
  • Namesakes: American author Gunnar Rohrbacher and musician Gunnar Nelson
  • Variations: Gunner and Gunnarr (Old Norse and Norwegian name)

 

Western Boy Names That Mean “Fire” or “Fiery”

Brantley

 

  • Origin: Norse gender-neutral name
  • Meaning: “Fiery torch” or “sword”
  • Pronunciation: “brand-lee”
  • Popularity: 314
  • Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Brantley Gilbert
  • Variations: Brentley and Brantlee

 

Hayden

 

  • Origin: English and German unisex name
  • Meaning: “Fire” or “of the hay fields”
  • Pronunciation: “hay-den”
  • Popularity: 160
  • Namesakes: American actor Hayden Byerly
  • Variations: Heyden, Haidyn, and Haiden

 

Kenneth

 

  • Origin: Scottish and Irish boy name
  • Meaning: “Born of fire” or “handsome”
  • Pronunciation: “keh-neth”
  • Popularity: 264
  • Namesakes: British actor and filmmaker Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh
  • Variations: Can be shortened as “Kenny” (e.g., American singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers, born as Kenneth Ray Rogers)

 

Western Boy Names Meaning “Leader”

Duke

 

  • Origin: Latin and English boy name
  • Meaning: “Leader”
  • Pronunciation: “dook”
  • Popularity: 679
  • Namesakes: British former professional boxer Duke McKenzie MBE
  • Variations: Dueke and Duque

 

Hank

 

  • Origin: German boy name
  • Meaning: “Home ruler”
  • Pronunciation: “hangk”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American singer and multi-instrumentalist Hank Williams III (Shelton Hank Williams)
  • Variations: Also a variant of “Harry” and “Henry”

 

Western Boy Name Meaning “Brave”

Casey

 

  • Origin: Irish and Scottish Gaelic unisex name
  • Meaning: “Brave” or “vigilant”
  • Pronunciation: “kay-see”
  • Popularity: 336
  • Namesakes: American musician Casey Abrams and actor Casey Morton Cott 
  • Variations: Kasey, Kayci, and Cacey

 

Classic & Traditional Baby Boy Names From The Wild West

Bronco

 

  • Origin: Spanish boy name
  • Meaning: “Rough, wild horse” or “unbroken horse”
  • Pronunciation: “braang-kow”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American former professional boxer and WBO (World Boxing Organization) light middleweight titleholder Bronco McKart
  • Variations: Broncko and Bronko

 

Butch

 

  • Origin: American boy name
  • Meaning: “Manly,” “butcher,” or “illustrious”
  • Pronunciation: “buhch”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American actor and musician Butch Patrick and country singer-songwriter Butch Hancock; also after the main character in the American Western buddy film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”
  • Variations: Butsch

 

Jesse

 

  • Origin: Dutch, English, and Hebrew boy name
  • Meaning: “The Lord exists,” “gift,” “God’s gift,” “wealthy,” or “king”
  • Pronunciation: “jeh-see”
  • Popularity: 194
  • Namesakes: American actor and singer Jesse McCartney

 

Marshall

 

  • Origin: Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Horse service” or “caretaker of horses”
  • Pronunciation: “maar-shahl”
  • Popularity: 384
  • Namesakes: American musician Marshall Howard Crenshaw and American former professional football player Marshall William Faulk; also a last name after American screenwriter and film director Garry Kent Marshall
  • Variations: Marschall, Marchal, and Marchall

 

Tanner

 

  • Origin: English and German boy name
  • Meaning: “Leather maker” or “leather tanner”
  • Pronunciation: “tah-ner”
  • Popularity: 410
  • Namesakes: American drummer Tanner Wayne and rock musician Tanner Sparks
  • Variations: Tahner

 

Old-Fashioned & ‘Old Man’ Names For Baby Boys

Auden

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Old friend”
  • Pronunciation: “aah-den”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American football player Auden Tate
  • Variations: Awden and Audden

 

Cash

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Money,” “wealth,” “money case,” or “box maker”
  • Pronunciation: “kash”
  • Popularity: 263
  • Namesakes: Musician Cash Baker of the duo “Cash and Maverick” (with his brother); also a last name (e.g., American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash)
  • Variations: Kash, Cass, and Cassius

 

Clay

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Clay worker”
  • Pronunciation: “kley”
  • Popularity: 615
  • Namesakes: American singer and TV personality Clay Aiken; also a last name (e.g., American R&B and soul singer Otis Lee Clay)
  • Variations: Klay

 

Justice

 

  • Origin: French and Latin boy name
  • Meaning: Virtue name meaning “righteous,” “upright,” or “just”
  • Pronunciation: “juhs-tees”
  • Popularity: 764
  • Namesakes: American actors Justice Adam Leak and Justice Elio Smith
  • Variations: Justus (Latin)

 

Lawson

 

  • Origin: British and Scottish boy name
  • Meaning: “Son of Lawrence”
  • Pronunciation: “laah-suhn”
  • Popularity: 409
  • Namesakes: American psychiatrist and author Lawson Reed Wulsin
  • Variations: None

 

Porter

 

  • Origin: Latin and French unisex name
  • Meaning: “Doorkeeper,” “gatekeeper,” or “to carry” (an occupational name after someone who carries things)
  • Pronunciation: “por-terr”
  • Popularity: 506
  • Namesakes: American DJ Porter Weston Robinson; also a last name (e.g., former National Basketball Association player and college basketball coach Terry Porter)
  • Variations: None

 

Cowhand & Western Farmboy Names

Clint

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Fenced settlement”
  • Pronunciation: “klint”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American singer and entertainer Clint Holmes and American actor and film director Clint Eastwood (born Clinton Eastwood Jr.)
  • Variations: Clynt, Clinte, Klint, and Clinton

 

Hoss

 

  • Origin: English and German boy name
  • Meaning: Rare boy name meaning “big like a horse”
  • Pronunciation: “hahs”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Fictional character after the rancher Hoss Cartwright in the TV series “Bonanza”
  • Variations: Hausser, Howzer, and Hauzer

 

Rawhide

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Untanned hide (cattle skin)”
  • Pronunciation: “raah-haid”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Title of an American Western TV series that starred Clint Eastwood and Eric Fleming, one of the longest-running shows that aired from January 1959 to December 1965
  • Variations: None

 

Unique & Rare Western Boy Names

What’s The Rarest Boy Name In The World?

Macarius

 

  • Origin: Greek boy name
  • Meaning: “Fortunate” or “blessed”
  • Pronunciation: “mah-kar-yoos”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Christian monk and hermit Macarius the Elder
  • Variations: Macario

 

Other Unique Cowboy Names 

Breslin

 

  • Origin: Irish boy name
  • Meaning: “Gift to the earth”
  • Pronunciation: “brez-lin”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., fictional character Ray Breslin, the protagonist in the movie “Escape Plan”)
  • Variations: Breislein and Bresslin

 

Chet

 

  • Origin: English boy name
  • Meaning: “Fortress,” “camp of soldiers,” or “stone camp”
  • Pronunciation: “cheht”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American child opera and choir performer Chet Allen and fictional character Chet “Rocket” Steadman in the sports comedy movie “Rookie of the Year”
  • Variations: Can be a nickname for “Chester” or “Chesney”

 

Galen

 

  • Meaning: “Calm”
  • Pronunciation: “gay-luhn”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American actor Galen Laius Gering
  • Variations: Galin, Galan, and Gaelan

 

Ralston

 

  • Origin: Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Ralph’s town”
  • Pronunciation: “rawl-stuhn”
  • Popularity: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: American painter and lithographer Ralston Crawford; also a last name, notably after American artist James Kenneth Ralston, known for creating Old West paintings of cowboys and Native American Indians
  • Variations: Rallston or Ralstone

 

Short But Good Cowboy Names

One-Syllable Western Boy Names

 

  • Bart (Hebrew and English boy name) – “Son of the Earth”; namesakes include American actor Bart Fletcher and novelist Bart Yates

 

  • Bo (Scandinavian and Chinese unisex name) – “Dwell,” “to live,” “warrior,” “precious,” or “wave”; ranks #492 and is used both as a first name (e.g., American writer and Broadway playwright Bo Goldman) and nickname (e.g., “American Idol” runner up Harold Elwin “Bo” Bice Jr.)

 

  • Chance (English boy name) – “Good fortune”; ranks #341

 

  • Guy (French and English boy name) – “Man,” “leader,” or “guide”

 

 

  • Zeb (Hebrew and Arabic boy name) – “Dwelling of honor”

 

Two-Syllable Western Boy Names

  • Bailey (Middle English and Old French gender-neutral name) – “Bailiff,” “city fortification,” or “berry clearing”

 

  • Kieran (Irish boy name) – Black boy name meaning “black-haired” or “little dark one”

 

  • Marco (Italian boy name) – “Warlike” or “dedicated to Mars, the Roman god of war”

 

Exotic Cowboy Names

  • Aarush (Hindi – Indian boy name) – “First ray of the sun”

 

 

  • Aulis (Finnish boy name) – “Helpful”

 

  • Silas (Latin and Hebrew boy name) – “Woods” or “forest”; can also be a variant of the Latin boy name “Silvanus”

 

Cowboy Names From Native American Tribes

 

 

Hawaiian Cowboy Names

  • Paniolo (Hawaiian name for boys) – “Cowboy” or “person who herds cattle”

 

Mexican Cowboy Names

  • Caballero (Spanish boy name) – Mexican and Hispanic boy name “horseman” or “cowboy”; pronounced as “kah-bal-yeh-roh”

 

  • Vaquero (Spanish boy name) – Mexican and Hispanic name meaning “herder of cattle” or
    “Cowboy”; pronounced as “vah-keh-roh”

 

Favorite Cowboy Nicknames & Funny Names

  • Big Tex
  • Lucky 
  • Mudd 
  • Packer
  • Randy
  • Rooster
  • Smokey
  • Stampede
  • Stallion
  • Sundance
  • Thunder
  • Trigger

 

Gender-Neutral Western Baby Names

  • Ashley (Old English unisex name) – “Dweller near the ash tree meadow”

 

  • Lennox (Scottish and Gaelic gender-neutral name) – “Elm grove” or “with many elm trees”

 

Other Inspirations For Western Boy Names

Best-Loved Middle Names For Western Cowboys

 

 

  • Bowie (Scottish gender-neutral name) – “Fair-haired”

 

 

Western & Cowboy Last Names (Also Work As First Names)

 

  • Cassidy (Gaelic and Irish unisex name) – “Curly-haired” or “clever”; also a last name (American actor and singer David Bruce Cassidy)

 

  • Macbride (Irish and Gaelic boy name) – “Son of Saint Brigid’s devotee”

 

History-Based Famous Cowboy & Western Boy Names

  • Abel (Hebrew boy name) – “Breathing spirit” or “son”; after Texas rancher Abel Head Pierce and the biblical name Abel (Adam and Eve’s second son)

 

  • Buffalo (American boy name) – “Buffalo or cattle”; after bison hunter and cowboy circus owner Buffalo Bill (born William Frederick Cody; founder of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show)

 

  • Larry (Latin boy name) – “Crowned with laurel”; after American professional rodeo cowboy Larry Mahan

 

Western Boy Names For Bull Riders

  • Lane (English and Gaelic boy name) – “A small roadway or path”; after American professional rodeo cowboy, bull rider, and 1990 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee Lane Frost

 

  • Richard (OId French boy name) – “Strong in rule”; after American cowman and professional bull rider and rodeo cowboy Richard Neale “Tuff” Hedeman

 

  • Ty (Hebrew boy name) – “Sharp”; after American bull rider and nine-time World Champion professional rodeo cowboy Ty Murray

 

Nature-Themed Western Boy Names

  • Birch (English unisex name) – “Birch tree”; can also be spelled as “Birche,” “Birce,” or “Berch”

 

 

  • Clive (English boy name) – Earthy name meaning “cliff,” “slope,” or “bank of the river”; famous namesakes include five-time Grammy Award winner Clive Jay Davis (he’s also a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer)

 

  • Corbin (English boy name) – “Little crow”

 

 

  • Dale (English gender-neutral name) – “Valley” or “dweller between hills”; famous namesakes include American actor, radio personality, and writer Dale Adam Dye Jr.

 

  • Montana (Latin and Spanish boy name) – “Mountain” or “mountainous country”; after a state in the US

 

  • Oakley (English unisex name) – “Oakwood” or “meadow of oak trees”; ranks #394

 

  • Sky (Scottish, Norse, and English unisex name) – “Atmosphere seen from earth” or “sea of clouds”; also spelled as “Skye”

 

Urban & City-Themed Western Boy Names

  • Austin (English and Latin boy name) – “Venerable,” “consecrated,” “great,” and “magnificent”; a city in Texas

 

  • Dallas (Gaelic, Scottish, and English boy name) – “Skilled,” “the valley meadows,” or “from the dales”; a city in Texas

 

  • Denver (French and English boy name) – “Green valley”; city in Colorado

 

  • Reno (Danish, Swedish, and Spanish gender-neutral name) – “One who is reborn,” “rule,” or “advice”; a city in Nevada

 

  • Huck (American and English boy name) – “Sweet berry”; short form of Huckleberry, after the main character in the novel by Mark Twain, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” 

 

  • Sawyer (English boy name) – “Woodcutter”; last name of the main character in Mark Twain’s novel, “Adventures of Tom Sawyer”

 

  • Shane (Irish and English boy name) – “God is gracious”; after the main character in the American Wild West film “Shane” from the 1950s

 

Celebrity Western Boy Names

  • Blake (English gender-neutral name) – “Dark,” “black,” or “bright,” “shining,” and “pale”; after country singer Blake Shelton

 

  • Hugh (English boy name) – “Intellect”; after English actors Hugh Grant and Hugh Laurie

 

  • Trace (English and Irish unisex name) – “Fighter” or “dauntless”; after American country singer-songwriter and actor Trace Adkins

 

Western Boy Names From A To Z

Western Boy Names Starting With A

  • Abner (Hebrew boy name) – “Father of light”

 

  • Arizona (Spanish unisex name) – “Small spring”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With B

  • Bennett (Latin and Middle English boy name) – “Blessed”

 

  • Bill (English boy name) – “Resolute protection”

 

  • Brett (English unisex name) – “Of Briton (old name of Brittany, France)”

 

  • Briar (English gender-neutral name) – “Brambles” or “thorny bush of wild roses”

 

  • Bryan (Irish boy name) – “Virtuous”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With C

  • Cade (English gender-neutral name) – “Barrel” or “round”

 

  • Caelan (Irish gender-neutral name) – “Slender” or “powerful warrior”

 

  • Calvin (Latin boy name) – “Hairless”

 

  • Cole (Old English boy name) – “Victory of the people”

 

  • Clutch (Dutch boy name) – “To hatch” or “overcoming obstacles”

 

  • Clyde (Scottish boy name) – “Friendly” or “warm”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With D

 

  • Decker (English boy name) – “Ditch digger” or “roofer”

 

  • Dutch (English and Dutch boy name) – “From the Netherlands” or a powerful boy name meaning “power of the spear”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With E

  • Earl (English boy name) – Prince name meaning “noble man”

 

  • Edgar (Old English boy name) – “Wealthy spear”

 

  • Ezekiel (Hebrew boy name) – “God will strengthen” or “strength of God”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With F

  • Flint (English boy name) – “Born near an outcrop of flint” or “flint rock”

 

  • Ford (English boy name) – “River crossing”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With G

 

  • Gentry (Middle English boy name) – “Aristocracy” or “nobility”

 

  • Graham (Old English boy name) – “Gravelled homestead”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With H

  • Handley (Gaelic and Old English boy name) – “High meadow”

 

  • Harlow (English boy name) – “Rock hill”

 

  • Hudson (English boy name) – “Son of Hudd,” “son of little Hugh,” or “settlement of houses”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With I

  • Ike (Hebrew boy name) – “Laughter”; pronounced as “ayk”

 

  • Isaiah (Hebrew boy name) – “Salvation of the Lord”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With J

  • Jayden (Hebrew unisex name) – “God will judge” or “thankful”

 

  • Jeb (English and Hebrew boy name) – “Beloved friend”

 

  • Jeremy (Old English boy name) – “Exalted by God” or “lifted up”

 

  • Josh (Hebrew boy name) – “Jehovah (God) is salvation”

 

  • Judge (English unisex name) – “Arbitrator,” “decision maker,” or “one who judges”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With K

  • Kaden (English, Celtic, and Arabic boy name) – “Fighter” or “companion”

 

 

 

  • Kit (English boy name) – “Bearing Christ” or “a Christian”

 

  • Kylin (English and Gaelic boy name) – “Slender” or “keeper of the keys”

 

  • Kyrie (Greek unisex name) – “Lord”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With L

  • Landry (French boy name) – “Ruler”

 

  • Liam (Irish boy name) – “Strong-willed warrior” (popular name)

 

  • Logan (Scottish boy name) – “Little hollow”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With M

  • Mason (English gender-neutral name) – “Stone worker”

 

  • Mitch (Hebrew and English boy name) – “Who is like God” or “one who resembles God”

 

  • Murphy (Irish and Gaelic boy name) – “Sea warrior”

 

Western Boy Names Starting with N

  • Nathan (Hebrew boy name) – “God gave”

 

  • Nicholas (Greek boy name) – “Victory of the people”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With O

  • Obadiah (Hebrew boy name) – “Servant of God”

 

  • Oliver (Latin and German name for boys) – “Olive tree” or “elf warrior”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With P

  • Palmer (Old English unisex name) – “One who holds the palm (as in palm tree)” or “pilgrim”

 

  • Payson (English boy name) – “Son of peace”

 

  • Pike (English and American boy name) – “Sharp point” and “pike fish”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With Q

  • Quentin (Latin boy name) – “The fifth”

 

  • Quigley (Gaelic boy name) – “Unruly hair”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With R

  • Reuben (Hebrew boy name) – “Behold, a son”

 

  • Ryan (Gaelic boy name) – “Little king”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With S

  • Shannon (Gaelic and Irish unisex name) – “Wise river,” “old river,” or “possessor of wisdom”

 

  • Sydney (Old English boy name) – “Wide meadow”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With T

 

  • Trevor (Welsh boy name) – “Great settlement”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With U

  • Ulrich (German boy name) – “Prosperity and power”

 

  • Upton (English boy name) – “Upper settlement”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With V

  • Vance (Old English boy name) – “Marsh”

 

  • Vern (French boy name) – “Alder grove”; after American country music singer Vernon Gosdin dubbed as country music’s “The Voice”

 

  • Vincent (Latin boy name) – “To conquer”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With W

  • Wade (English boy name) – “Ford” or “to go”

 

  • Ward (Old English boy name) – “Guard” or “watch”

 

  • Wesley (Anglo-Saxon and Old English boy name) – “Meadow in the west”

 

  • Wheeler (English boy name) – “Wheel maker”

 

  • William (German boy name) – “Resolute protector”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With X

  • Xavier (Spanish, Basque – Southwestern European, and Arabic boy name) – “One who is bright and splendid” or “new house”

 

  • Xeno (Greek boy name) – “Foreign” or “unusual”

 

Western Boy Names Starting With Y

  • Yale (Welsh boy name) – “Fertile land”

 

 

Western Boy Names Starting With Z

 

  • Zeke (Hebrew boy name) – “God strengthens”

 

Name Combos For Little Cowboys

  • Billy Jo
  • Colton Bob
  • Douglas Rhys
  • Jessie James
  • Jimmy Boy

 

Western Boy Names For Dogs & Other Pets

 

  • Ranger (French and English boy name) – “Forest guardian” or “forest Protector”; after the legendary Lone Ranger (a masked former Texas Ranger in the American Old West who fought outlaws with his Native American buddy Tonto)

 

More Western Boy Names

  • Abraham
  • Achan
  • Ackerley
  • Adino
  • Adler
  • Aldo
  • Amnon
  • Anatoly
  • Arvid
  • Brooks
  • Chad
  • Conroy
  • Conway
  • Davis
  • Dwight
  • Elijah
  • Ernest
  • Flynn
  • Goddard
  • Holt
  • Howard
  • Hutch
  • John
  • Julian
  • Karan
  • Louis
  • Mac
  • Macedonio
  • Pete
  • Ray
  • Roy
  • Ryder
  • Samuel
  • Skyler
  • Toby
  • Warren
  • Weston

 

Bonus: Discover More Names

Southern Boy Names

  • Adam
  • Corwin
  • Hayes 
  • Stanton

 

Western Names For Baby Girls

  • Alice
  • Eleanor
  • Lillian
  • Martha
  • Rose

 

How To Choose A Western & Cowboy Name For Your Baby

  • Check the meaning
  • Check the spelling and pronunciation
  • Check the resulting initials (to avoid initials like “ASS,” “GAY,” or “FAT”)
  • Check for negative connotations

 

FAQs

What Are Pet Names & Nicknames For Cowboys?

  • Cowpuncher
  • Cowhand
  • Buckaroo
  • Cowpoke
  • Wrangler

 

Are There ‘Ugly’ Western Boy Names I Should Avoid?

  • Claeg (Old English boy name) – “One subjected to death”
  • Tuco (Spanish boy name) – “Ugly one”

 

 

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

 

Pet Names To Try

 

References

(1) https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/wild-west-0

(2) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

(3) https://www.britannica.com/sports/rodeo-sport

 

 

– Motherhood Community is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

Related Posts

girl names meaning strong 1
Baby Names

275+ Girl Names Meaning Strong: Powerful & Beautiful Choices For Your Warrior Princess

aesthetic boy names 2
Baby Names

270+ Aesthetic Boy Names With Cool & Beautiful Meanings

boy names with strong meanings 3
Baby Names

685+ Boy Names With Strong Meanings: Powerful, Cool, Unique, Or Popular Choices

boy disney names 4
Baby Names

390+ Boy Disney Names: The Ultimate List Of Princes, Heroes, Sidekicks, & Magical Characters

scandinavian boy names 5
Baby Names

145+ Scandinavian Boy Names: From Ancient Viking To Cool Modern Choices